The GSBA Scholarship Fund

The GSBA Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to LGBTQ and allied students who exhibit leadership potential, demonstrate strong academic abilities, and are actively involved in school and community organizations. Founded in 1991, the GSBA Scholarship Fund has awarded over 650 scholarships totaling over $3 million.

Mission

To invest in the education of a diverse group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and allied students who have the capacity and vision to be the next generation of leaders working to create a better world for all.

Vision

Diverse leaders who have the vision, compassion and capability to solve global issues and secure human rights for all.

The GSBA Guarantee

The Guarantee is our commitment to the ongoing funding of our undergraduate scholars. Every scholar who has met certain criteria is eligible for up to four years of undergraduate scholarship funding. This commitment to our scholars’ success and eventual graduation helps support our future leaders in a way that few programs are able to do. We ask our donors to consider also making ongoing commitments to help sustain the continuing support that is so vital to the success of our mission.

GSBA Blog Scholarship Fund Posts

GSBA Reflects on 2017

The Greater Seattle Business Association capped off 2017 with an annual meeting where Business & Humanitarian Awards recipients were announced and local lawmakers gave an optimistic preview of the 2018 legislative session.

GSBA president Louise Chernin shared highlights from the past year, including how the state’s largest LGBTQ chamber of commerce in 2017 raised $950,000 in student scholarship funding. This year marked $3 million in total awards to LGBTQ and allied students to pursue their leadership potential over four years.

“There is no one doing that,” Chernin said, “so I just have to say that is really remarkable to stay with a student for four years.”

This was also the first year the GSBA led a leadership academy with students from around the country.

Antioch University provost Benjamin Pryor said the school’s partnership with GSBA has allowed the university to identify challenges for its LGBTQIA students and improve on its environmental education and mental health counseling. Antioch is also developing a post-graduate certificate for LGBTQIA counseling.

The chamber took a leadership position in the fight to oppose Initiative 1552, said GSBA chair Drew Ness, which failed to get enough signatures to make the November ballot this year. It would have restricted people to use the bathroom, locker room and other facilities that correspond with their biological gender... more.